

High Performance Anthropologist, Author, Football Executive
Rasmus Ankersen describes himself as a ‘high performance anthropologist.’ For his book The Gold Mine Effect, he explored Brazil’s ability to mass produce football superstars, and why so many champion runners hail from one Ethiopian village. The Chairman of FC Midtjiland and Co-Director of Football at Brentford FC has also written Hunger In Paradise, a look at how to sustain success, ward off complacency and develop new ideas before they become necessary. In speeches he looks at how to grow talent and create your own disruption.
Biography
Rasmus is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, speaker on performance development and a trusted advisor to businesses and athletes around the world.
He is also the chairman of FC Midtjylland, his childhood football club in Denmark, and a director of the English club Brentford FC. Both are known as some of the world’s most innovative football clubs, especially recognised for their use of big data to drive decision-making.
Over the past few years, Rasmus has been hired to share his research on high performance cultures by global brands like LEGO, Google, Boston Consulting Group, IKEA, Google, Facebook, Hitachi, Roche, Ernst & Young and many more.
In 2012 he published The Gold Mine Effect, in which he explores how some countries and cities develop a disproportionate amount of top talent.
In 2016 he published Hunger in Paradise: a book about how successful organisations can remain successful by eliminating complacency.
Topics
You may want to go deeper into a topic for your audience. The keynote topics can be tailored and developed to suit your audience needs, be it a 90-minute Masterclass, a half-day or full-day workshop or a full online or face-to-face programme. Please contact one of our expert team to discuss.
Over the past few years, Rasmus has been hired to share his research on high performance cultures by global brands like LEGO, Google, Boston Consulting Group, IKEA, Google, Facebook, Hitachi, Roche, Ernst & Young and many more.
In 2012 he published The Gold Mine Effect, in which he explores how some countries and cities develop a disproportionate amount of top talent.
In 2016 he published Hunger in Paradise: a book about how successful organisations can remain successful by eliminating complacency.
Resources
Books

Hunger in Paradise by Rasmus Andersen

The Gold Mine Effect by Rasmus Ankersen
Testimonials
The business world owes Rasmus much gratitude for his facts based, in depth studies of what it truly takes to be, identify and build talent” – Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, CEO and President, The LEGO Group
Thank you for an amazing presentation today, The reviews are all positive and you hit it out of the ballpark with a home run. – Marta Pawych, Vice President Annual Conference & Sponsorships. HRPA
“Rasmus digs deep with insight and experience capturing knowledge that is easily shared and hopefully applied, foolish if it’s not! “- Ben Roberts, Global Talent Director in Saatchi & Saatchi
“Your speech was very well received. Our sales force gave you
the best feedback that they’ve ever given a business speaker before.
You really nailed it.” – Ellen Vig Nelausen, Executive Assistant.
“Rasmus really understands the DNA of world class performance. From him you don’t just get theories, you get concrete tools working in the real world. Rasmus is the ultimate coach.” – Casper Stylsvig, Global Sponsorship Director, Manchester United
“With his work, Rasmus covers two key challenges for every organization: building success and, once achieved, fighting complacency. His ideas and experiences provided valuable food for thought for our company.“ – Marika Lulay, COO GFT, GFT Group.
You were fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with our group with such a great balance of facts & humour. The crowd was captivated. All the feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive. – Mike Norris, Volvo of Edmonton
Amazing – best speaker at the event – WTG -The HR Directors Summit
“Thank you again for the great presentation today, it was
inspiring, provided surprising insights and made me wish it would have lasted longer!” Andrea Adams, Bridgepoint.
“Rasmus left the entire sales force inspired and made them reflect deeply on how they could self-train more end better to become world class”. – Morten Brøgger CEO, MACH
“This was the best presentation I have ever seen in my life – extremely interesting and inspiring! Thanks a lot, Rasmus!” – Julija Firsova Sub Custody Operations, SEB
“With Rasmus as a speaker we had the best night ever in Tivoli Gardens’ business club. Our guests were deeply impressed and inspired. In our own internal sales department Rasmus’ ideas and concepts have also become a beacon for our daily work developing talent and high performance.”Kasper Tvede, Head of Sales at Tivoli Gardens
“Rasmus is someone who has walked the walk having travelled the world living with and studying high performing athletes, players and teams. The fact that he combines that knowledge with exceptional delivery and unique insight makes him one of the best corporate speakers in the world on what it takes to perform at the top” – James Worrall, CEO and founder of Leaders.
“Rasmus managed to inspire our whole sales force when they were getting ready for a major product launch. Our focus is Belief, Focus and Hard Work and Rasmus captured all this and made them words come alive, especially Rasmus is a very good story teller” – Peter Kjeldgard, Marketing Manager, Novo Nordisk UK
“the leadership teams really enjoyed the session – and we’ve already worked with some of the ideas we discussed – among these being our management meetings. You made everyone feel comfortable and equally important. We loved absolutely every minute.” – Margaret Brusletto, Director of Communication, McDonald’s
“Rasmus makes one see what is really important… powerful and touching at the same time! Nobody was left indifferent!” – Peter Demchenkov, General Manager, Alidi Group (named as a entrepreneur of the year in Russia)